After one pupil had to leave the folk college in Tjeldsund in Sør-Troms this school year, the school lost 60 per cent of its support from the state. It also affects the coming school year, regardless of how many applicants they get. – It affects our students extremely. It is the offer to those who need facilitation that is affected. Where is the inclusion in that? says principal Stine Molund. Through the special grant, Folkehøgskolen Nord-Norge has since 1974 been able to provide folkhøgskolen to pupils with physical or mental disabilities, or who for other reasons have a documented need for adaptation in everyday life. The students have received it without having to get support from Nav. After the pandemic, the number of students, as at several other folk colleges, has decreased. Ten of the folk college’s 25 places for students who need accommodation must be filled in order for them to receive the full grant. – It is startling and arrogant that a school with a Sami profile and which is a special grant school, receives this reduction due to 0.5 missing pupils. If we had half the pupil, we would have received 100 per cent support, says Molund. Facts about Folkehøgskolen Nord-Norge Located in Sør-Troms, in the village of Evenskjer in Tjeldsund municipality. Has a Sami profile and also bears the name Álbmotallaskuvla Davvi-Norga. Is one of four special subsidy schools in Norway. Has a total of eight lines within outdoor life and experience. One of the lines is for students who need extra accommodation in everyday life. The school has 25 places for students who need adapted teaching. The school has received a special grant for these places since 1974 from the Directorate of Education. Owned by Norway’s YFUK-KFUM – the country’s largest Christian children’s and youth organisation. Calling for the inclusion aspect After the folk college received the message that they would lose part of the support, the school complained about the decision. They were refused. Folkehøgskolen Nord-Norge is located in Tjeldsund municipality in Sør-Troms. Photo: Private The Ministry of Education confirms to news that the reason was that the school had too few pupils to receive the full grant in 2023. The ministry states that the reduction for the school was around NOK 2.7 million. Folkehøgskolen Nord-Norge has now applied to both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Local Government and Districts for an extraordinary grant of between NOK 3.5 and 7 million. Community colleges with special grant Four community colleges in Norway have been approved for a special grant to provide services to pupils with special needs. They are: Folkehøgskolen Nord-Norge in Troms and Finnmark Peder Morseth folkhøgskole in Trønderlag Ål folkhøgskole and course center for the deaf in Viken county Lundheim folkhøgskole in Rogaland If they do not get it approved, the principal is afraid for the future of the school offer. – It is a critical phase. There are 16 man-years that could disappear if it were to become so drastic. We and the board try to find solutions in every nook and cranny. But it will be hard and demanding for us. Headmaster Stine Molund has sent the pupils home after finishing their year at the folk high school. Photo: Børge Hoseth / news Financial owner Folkehøgskolen Nord-Norge has, together with school owner YFUK-KFUM Norge, been in a meeting with the Ministry of Education. General secretary Øivind Mehl Landmark says the situation is particularly sad for young people in the north with special needs. – Until the pandemic, the Folke høgskolen has built itself up as an important arena for young people regardless of functional level. We are now deeply concerned about the only folk college that facilitates everyone’s participation in Northern Norway, he says. Secretary General of YWCA-YMCA Norway, Øivind Mehl Landmark. Photo: Kari Anne Skoglund / news – How can the owner organization contribute more financially to the school? – We assist with everything we can. As the owner, we have stepped up in relation to the financial side with loan guarantees, and guarantee liquidity to be able to continue operating. – But the pain limit has been reached. The entire volunteering force has had tough years through the pandemic. Now we need the authorities to contribute as well. – Biggest loss for the student Folkehøgskolen Nord-Norge has sought advice from the Folkehøgskolerådet. Managing director Anne Tingelstad Wøien says they are concerned that the provision of one in four in the country who receive a special grant for pupils who need adaptation is at risk. – The situation is sad, and I certainly hope it doesn’t happen. The committee that has looked at the future folk university says that an increased diversity is desired. The student group here contributes to just that. Then it is extremely important that they have the opportunity to go there, says Wøien. General manager Anne Tingelstad Wøien in the Folkehøgskolerådet. Photo: Svein Finneide / Pressefoto She says the Folkehøgskolerådet works a lot to ensure that there can be diversity in the folk colleges. – It is the students who will go where there is the greatest loss, if the offer cannot be maintained. The Ministry does not wish to comment on the matter. news has been in contact with the Ministry of Local Government and District Affairs and heard how they stand in relation to the application from Folkehøgskolen Nord-Norge. We have also inquired how it is treated. They point out that it is the Ministry of Education and Science that must answer the questions in this case. The Ministry of Education, for its part, says that they cannot comment on the case as long as they have the application for extraordinary support to process.
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Folkehøgskolen Nord-Norge fears for the provision for students with disabilities – news Troms and Finnmark
